Organ Donor Month, August 2012

Organ donation saves many lives and dramatically improves the quality of others. At least 21 different organs, such as hearts, livers, kidneys and tissues such as corneas and bone marrow, can be successfully transplanted into patients who can then expect to live for many years.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate existing and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of organ donation this Organ Donor Month, August 2011.

Save seven lives
According to the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa, by becoming an organ donor you can save as many as seven lives after you die. Your heart kidneys, liver, lungs and pancreas can all be used to assist seriously ill people to live longer and healthier lives. Not only this but you can potentially help a further 50 people by donating tissues such as corneas, heart valves, skin and bone.

Critical shortage
There is a critical shortage of organ donors in South Africa. The Organ Donor Foundation says that there are approximately 1 400 adults and children in this country who are waiting for organs that are critical to their survival such as hearts, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and livers. If they do not get these organs they will not survive.

Improving awareness
Organ Donor Month aims to improve awareness of organ donation and encourage South Africans to become donors. Many people in South Africa are unaware that our hospitals conduct organ transplants. In fact when organs are available transplants are regularly undertaken at certain facilities in both the private and public sector.

Treatment of choice
Transplantation is the treatment of choice for many diseases, but all too often a suitable organ is not available to meet demand. Those with end-stage renal failure, for instance, will require a kidney transplant in order to survive while a pancreas can save an individual who is suffering from diabetes.

The vast majority of transplants today are very successful and they give recipients a completely new life. Thousands of sick people have no other choice but to have a transplant or they will die. Transplants literally do save lives.

How to become an organ donor
Organs for transplantations come from two sources: people who are still alive and those who have died. An individual may register as an organ donor with the Organ Donor Foundation and voluntarily leave their organs for the purposes of transplantation once they have passed away.

You can become an organ donor by doing the following:

• Call the Organ Donor Foundation's toll free line (0800 22 66 11) or visit the website (www.odf.org.za) for information on how to become a donor.
• The Organ Donor Foundation will send you an organ donor card to carry in your wallet and organ donor stickers for your ID book and driver's licence.
• Inform your family that you want to become an organ donor. This is most important because your organs cannot be used for the purposes of transplantation without the consent of your family.

Facts about organ donation
The Organ Donor Foundation has compiled the following interesting five important facts about organ donation:

• Organs that can be transplanted include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas.
• Tissue that can be transplanted includes corneas, heart valves, skin and bone.
• People can agree to transplant some organs and not others.
• Any individual who is under the age of 70 years and in good health can become an organ donor.
• Anyone who has become an organ donor is welcome to change their mind, simply destroying their organ donor card and informing their family that they no longer wish to be a donor.

The greatest gift
Organ transplantation is without doubt one of the greatest gifts of modern medicine, saving the lives of hundreds of ill individuals. However, because of a lack of suitable organs, many South Africans are not able to benefit from this modern medical miracle. Those in need of transplants rely on the generosity of those donors and their families who are wiling to make the life-saving gift available to others. Why not consider becoming an organ donor today?

For any GEMS member queries please phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or visit our website at www.gems.gov.za. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and wellbeing.

Sources:
1. Health24, http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-812-1735,18434.asp

2. Organ Donation Foundation of South Africa, http://www.odf.org.za/.